The Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), also known as Shi’ites, has raised the alarm over the alleged arrest of over 200 celebrants at the birthday anniversary of the daughter of the Holy Prophet Muhammad in Abuja.
While briefing journalists in Abuja on behalf of the IMN, Dr Sabi’u Adamu said those arrested include nursing mothers, babies, and children who were taken to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) at Abattoir, Abuja.
The Shi’ites wondered if the present administration had continued attacks on the religious body like the previous administration did for eight years.
“Furthermore, on 23rd December 2024, the police arrested more than 200 celebrants of the birthday anniversary of the daughter of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAWA) in Abuja.
“Nursing mothers, babies, children, and the underage were among those arrested and detained by the police at the SARS Abattoir, Abuja, without a court order.
“Is this government, by any chance, continuing the ill-advised foreign agenda of crushing the Islamic movement under the leadership of His Eminence Sayyid Ibraheem Ya’qoub El-Zakzaky (H)?!
“Certainly, these persistent acts of violence against Islamic activities organised by the brothers and sisters of the Islamic movement are a direct attack on Muslims and Islam.
“It’s high time that Bola Tinubu comes out in the open to declare his intention of continuing with the atrocities of his predecessor, tyrant Buhari.
“All we want to make clear is that the Islamic movement is here to stay. It is our religion. It is an ideology. It is a concept and not an organisation. It cannot be crushed or eliminated!
“The Islamic movement is here to stay, and no amount of persecution can deter us from carrying out our religious activities. As a nation that claims to be democratic, it’s a shame that some people are being marginalised by the state due to their religious beliefs,” he said.
Adamu recalled that on Sunday, 25th August 2024, there was an attack on Abuja Arba’een Symbolic trekkers, killing scores of them around Wuse Market.
He said on Sunday, 25th August 2024, there was an attack on a guest house located behind Abattoir in Suleja town, at around 4:30 p.m.
The operatives, according to him, committed various unprovoked atrocities against innocent civilians, such as setting ablaze a car parked at the entrance of the house, vandalising many valuable facilities, and arresting dozens of people present at the scene.
“Similarly, on Monday, 26th August 2024, the Nigerian police committed one of the worst blasphemies against Islam by the removal of the hijab worn by the Muslim sisters arrested during the 2024 Abuja Arba’een Symbolic Trek.
“Likewise, on Tuesday, 27th August 2024, around 5:30 p.m., there was an attack on Islamiyyah School near Airport Road. During the attack, the police destroyed public and private properties (within and outside the school) and arrested innocent people around the school.
“Moreover, on Wednesday, 28th August 2024, around 9:00 a.m., they attacked the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada, FCT Abuja, arrested patients in the hospital, and detained them at SARS Abattoir.
“Also, on Sunday, 13th October 2024, they attacked our activities at the Decency Event Centre, Wuse Zone 5, Abuja, and arrested two participants of the programme. The unlawful attack on our activities continued on 14th December 2024, at Laralek House, Highpoint Events and Conference Hall, Ibi Close, Area 11, Garki, Abuja, where the 9th Anniversary of the 2015 Zaria Massacre was supposed to take place.
“Before the commencement of the programme, the joint team of police, DSS, the army, and other security agents barricaded the hall (the venue of the programme) around 7:00 a.m. and arrested the participants of the programme together with some people around the facility. Up to this moment, 14 people are still in detention without a court order,” he added.
READ MORE FROM: NIGERIAN TRIBUNE